Dear Wendy, i am posting this on behalf of your friend. He tried to register and post but kena ban when he tried to post.
There is no perfect country in this world. Every country has its pros and cons. You can spin it every which way you prefer.
Ms Wendy Poh has chosen to spin Canada in a negative light. There will always be a few Singaporeans who cannot adjust to the free and liberal life style of Canada just as most Canadians cannot bear the dictatorial and restricted life style of Singapore. To each his own.
I do not like Singapore so I quit my job and left the country for a better future in Canada. It is strange that Ms Wendy Poh who hates every aspect of the Canadian society remains in Vancouver and not return to her beloved island paradise of Singapore. It only shows the hypocrisy of a bitter woman.
Let us look at her arguments:
Racial discrimination - In any society, there will always be certain amount of racial disharmony. Citing a few examples does not make a country racist. Can Canada be called a racist society when the previous Governor General ( the equivalent of the President in Singapore) was a Chinese refugee from China and the present Governor-General is a lady immigrant from Haiti? In addition, there are many Chinese, Indians and other minority race immigrants who are holding important government positions like ministers, police chiefs, members of Parliament, etc. Racist? I don't think so.
My three children have never encountered racial discrimination in schools or at work. My eldest son is a senior bank manager with an international bank, my second son is a manager with Sony and my third daughter is a teacher. They do not have problems getting their jobs and are treated as equals.
Canadian Healthcare - A comparison between Canada and Singapore's healthcare system is a comparison between Heaven and Hell. In Singapore, most citizens will tell you that their healthcare system sucks and they prefer to die than to be sick. The Canadian universal healthcare system is available to all citizens and landed immigrants for a token fee or simply free. Majority of Canadians are proud and extremely pleased with the healthcare system.
I work as a volunteer at a Vancouver hospital and have witnessed patients being flown at government's expense from remote parts of the country for surgeries. I personally was ill for five years and was in and out of ICUs. My heart stopped three times. All the surgeries, the transplant operation,the hospitalization cost, the post transplant assessments, the medications that cost more than $1,000 a month are FREE. I repeat, FREE. In Singapore, I would be bankrupted by medical bills.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ST4-UCPwVc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXXBCFnhsUc
High taxation - It is true that Singapore has a lower income tax rate compared with Canada. However it is a misleading way of looking at taxes. For example, the Canadian electrical fee is only one third that of Singapore's, water is free in Vancouver or only a fraction of the cost of Singapore's. Canadians can buy a brand new car for less than the cost of Singapore COE, the free healthcare, the cheaper housing, no maid levy, free social services like free transportation for seniors, free education, the old age pensions, etc. The savings on these items far outweigh the low tax rate of Singapore. Canadians pay a higher tax but they got value for their money.
A simple test is to compare a person making $50,000 a year in Canada to a person making an equivalent amount in Singapore and see who has a better and more meaningful life style. The Canadian can afford a car, pay down-payment for a freehold apartment (not just 99 years leasehold) and continue with the mortgage without help from the parents. In Singapore, most would require financial assistance from their parents.
My wife and I get combined pensions of S$3,000 a month as living expenses, free public transport, etc. If I had remained in Singapore, I would be collecting used cardboxes and living in void decks. So much for paying "low Singapore income taxes".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag0lvOA0ugw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-guxHFyz2A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oikOBOD6XdI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcSwYXKwP0w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BygOYrP722Y&feature=related
I am sorry that Ms Wendy Poh has a miserable and bitter life that leads to her need to vent anger towards Canada with a twisted mind. Ms Wendy Poh should return to her comfort zone in Singapore's crowded living condition, hot weather, Singlish environment that help her recall her happier childhood days. The earlier she leaves, the better as the Mega earthquake she predicted that will dawn on Canada may happen tomorrow. It would be ironic for her to die in a country she despise so much.
Cheong Wing Lee